Denver welcomes Peyton Manning

The orange jersey with the No. 18 on it may have looked out of place, but Peyton Manning believes he’ll soon grow accustomed to wearing a different uniform for the first time in 14 years. Manning was introduced as the Broncos’ quarterback today, vowing to do whatever he can to win Super Bowls for his new team.

“It’s certainly different,” Manning told reporters at the Broncos’ training complex late this afternoon. “This will take some time for me to get comfortable with. This is all new to me. You’re talking about a guy who was with one team for 14 years … I’m here to do whatever I can to help this team win.”

The Broncos beat out 11 other teams for Manning’s services, and signed him to a five-year deal worth a reported $96 million. Manning told the Broncos yesterday morning that he had decided to continue his career in Denver, one of three teams he had winnowed his list from the original 12 that had expressed interest. The other finalists were the 49ers and Titans.

Manning was introduced by Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who is now in charge of the team’s football operations. And it was Elway who helped make Manning feel comfortable enough with the organization to continue his own Hall of Fame career.

“The thing that got me is I asked him [early in the search process], ‘Is there any doubt in your mind that you can’t get back to the Peyton Manning we know of?’” Elway said. “[Manning] said, ‘There’s no doubt in my mind.’ When he said that, and our doctors backed it up, that’s when we knew we could land him as a Bronco.”